WITH the AFL season in full swing, Sliding Doors is hitting its straps.
>> See more Sliding Doors here
So what's Damo saying about your club? What's he saying about the AFL? Check it out.
IF ...
this season wasn't already in the crisis category ...
THEN ...
it became official when stand-in captain Tom Doedee was ruled out for remaining matches. One of very few Crows positives.
IF ...
the Lions are doing absolutely everything right, and they are ...
THEN ...
I still can't see them winning a flag this year. Feel their forward line, even with the exquisite Charlie Cameron, lacks the required killer instinct.
IF ...
the Blues are to be honest with themselves at this stage of the season ...
THEN ...
they had the Teague Train winning more than the four matches he has to this point. Teague Train is 10-11 since taking over from the sacked Bolton last year, needs express wins against Fremantle (Saturday) and Gold Coast (next Friday).
IF ...
there's a guy with a better attitude in footy right now than Bucks ...
THEN ...
not sure who it is. Nothing fazes him, even unfair allegations of COVID-19 protocol breaches. Deserves for that attitude to be rewarded as this most extraordinary of season continues to unfold in unpredictable ways.
IF ...
last week I couldn't work out whether the Bombers were OK or dreadful ...
THEN ...
I'm none the wiser this week. A draw – with Gold Coast, on Wednesday night - will do that. Won't factor them in on finals action, still can't factor them out. Reckon I'll know by Sunday, after their game against the Saints.
IF ...
the criteria for coach of the year was widened to include those who have taken over struggling organisations, and who have then been subjected to absences by his best two players ...
THEN ...
Justin Longmuir would be in the conversation. You can just tell he knows what he's doing.
IF ...
they've played in seven of the past eight finals series since last making a Grand Final ...
THEN ...
the Cats are doing most things right in their hope of rectifying that this year. Friday's match against the Power might just be the 2020 Grand Final match-up.
IF ...
two 20-year-olds are prepared to demand the footy in the final seconds of a tight game, hellbent on attempting to lead their team to a win ...
THEN ...
in the big picture it doesn't actually matter that their actions fell short. Loved the way King and Rankine sought their respective moments in the tie with Essendon.
IF ...
last year's Grand Final was embarrassing ...
THEN ...
Thursday night, a home and away match against the second-last team, was actually more embarrassing. There's no vibrancy, no spark, no dare. The three goals they kicked against the Swans were all from free kicks, and NOT ONE of those free kicks should have been paid (which is another story). Think about that. They couldn't find a way to kick even one goal without umpire intervention. This club is broken, for no apparent reason.
IF ...
Clarko keeps talking about playing kids ...
THEN ...
I'll believe it only when I see it. He's said it countless times before. Post 2007, it's actually not in his DNA to do so. Collision course still looming internally over direction of the Hawks from here.
IF ...
the glass is half full ...
THEN ...
massive wins in the past two matches have provided 2020 hope. If it's half empty, the opponents were the equally woeful Adelaide and North Melbourne. It will only become obvious after the Dees play Collingwood on Saturday, and Western Bulldogs in round 13.
IF ...
the Roos are now committed to a full-on rebuild after the 2020 season ...
THEN ...
I will never stop wondering why they didn't do so after they axed Harvey, Petrie, Dal Santo and Firrito in 2016, or in 2017, 2018 or 2019. Given the loooong delay, simply must get every aspect of that rebuild right from here.
IF ...
the Power are to win the 2020 flag ...
THEN ...
it needs Steven Motlop in the 22. Back from an ankle injury, still an X-factor in his 11th season in the AFL.
IF ...
the Tigers' best is still competition best ...
THEN ...
the premiership defence remains on track. But in the now looming logjam near the top of the ladder, couldn't afford a slip-up against the Suns on Monday night.
IF ...
I'd been all-in on an unlikely top-four finish ...
THEN ...
I'm not now. Saw some very worrying signs against the Cats, and the subsequent loss of Gresham is a massive blow.
IF ...
the Swans are still sitting third last on the ladder ...
THEN ...
they're much better than that in the big picture, and are starting to play with some genuine freedom and creativity. Massive win against the Giants on Thursday night. Horse coaching beautifully, as he has done for nine seasons before this one.
IF ...
the big boys are all firing again up forward ...
THEN ...
the backline will be back in sync, too, now that Gov has regained fitness. Beautifully positioned for another flag tilt, this mob.
IF ...
there's one facet of 2020 where the Bulldogs have found consistency ...
THEN ...
it is their inconsistency. Started with two losses, won five of the next six, now lost three in a row. Couldn't possibly lose to the Crows on Sunday. Then, the Demons await in round 13.
AND THIS ONE'S FOR THE AFL
IF ...
I'm a betting man – small amounts only, always responsibly and very rarely successfully – ...
THEN ...
I'll be having a dollar on the Western Australian government, despite providing only scant assistance to the AFL to this point of the COVID-19 ravaged 2020 season, making a near-compelling financial case to host the Grand Final.